Yep, I sneaked out of work early yesterday to see Bill Maher's documentary "Religulous" and really enjoyed it. If you don't know, the comedian goes around talking to various Christians, Jews and Muslims and tries to get them to confront the inconsistencies and gaping holes in their faiths.
I particularly liked Maher's interview with an "ex-gay" man who now runs an ex-gay ministry--you know, trying to make queers into the straight people that they are deep down inside. I didn't hear anything new, but it was obvious to me that the minister was gay, no matter what story he's telling himself.
Maher was polite but honest and he asked many of the questions that I've asked myself about Christianity. He takes a very broad perspective of all religions--no one's safe--which helps the viewer see how much these very different beliefs actually have in common. And makes you wonder why the hell we can't see this!
He does acknowledge the many good people of faith and the good things religious people do, but wonders why they can't do the same without believing in some great person in the sky. And how it is those same religions also spawn great pain and violence.
Toward the end Maher makes his main point: "Religion must die in order for humanity to survive." I don't know that that will ever happen. Seriously, humans have always been religious, and I don't see that changing. What we believe in changes, but the act of believing doesn't. Maher wants it all wiped out, however. He thinks the world would be a better place, and he may be right. But I simply don't think it will happen. If it does, it will only be because we evolve past the point of needing religion, and evolution in humans takes quite a long, long time.
And Maher doesn't really give pagans a pass either. He doesn't mention pagans as a movement, but he does briefly visit the Cerne Abbas Giant figure in Dorset, England. He talks about how people can't seem to let their beliefs go, even when they recognize them as irrational or superstitious. He points to the giant and describes how some believe a real giant is buried under the hill, and this figure marks spot. He explains further that the locals don't really consider it a religious figure and yet they still come to maintain the man with the "giant space penis," as Maher says.
Things like this are silly on one hand. If I can't believe in a Jew born of a virgin who healed the sick and claimed to be God's son, who rose from the dead and will return to create a new earth after a battle with angels and demons--well, then can I believe in animal spirit guides, witches, fairies and so on?
Yes and no. I think the problem with religion lies in people taking it literally, seriously, no matter what they believe. Because when we take them seriously, fear sneaks in and drags along prejudice and intolerance and suspicion, which usher in violence. I know this kind of thinking is heresy for any "true believer." But they have no proof. A Christian's conviction is no more objectively valid than a shaman's conviction in what he does. Neither can be shown to be true or false. So believe what you want, celebrate our diversity as humans, but be kind and be humble. Humility is the one thing we all need more of.
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